UN Human Rights Chief calls for war crimes probe in Gaza

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for investigations into potential war crimes following the recovery of hundreds of human remains in Gaza. Between late June and September, the Palestinian Civil Defense recovered 329 bodies and remains in Gaza City and surrounding areas, 261 of whom were women and children.

Since an October 2025 ceasefire, more than 800 bodies have been recovered across the Gaza Strip. The UN estimates that over 8,000 people remain missing under the rubble, though officials warn this figure is likely a significant underestimation.

Recovery efforts are severely hindered by a lack of fuel, personnel, and heavy machinery; currently, only one excavator is reported to be operational in the entire Strip. Furthermore, authorities report that Israeli officials are blocking the entry of heavy machinery and forensic identification equipment, such as DNA testing tools and fingerprinting technology. This obstruction prevents the formal identification of the deceased and the preservation of evidence.